So, with recent events, I have been inspired to follow in skysaw's footsteps, and start a project involving willing Mortals.

It will be a song, most likely upbeat and exciting, with vocals taken from us, the Mortals. Naiya and I were actually planning on collaboration on some dream themed project, but I said, "Hey, why not involve the whole community?" mu asked about submitting guitar parts... I thought that was a great idea!

So here's the rough idea in a nutshell:

-song will be around 130 BPM (but could be anywhere from 120 - 140, that area), and (most likely) in the key of C Major -it will (most likely) be of the more modern/electronic variety -it will (most likely) be upbeat and exciting -I will invite other Mortals (once lyrics are done) to sing along -those who wish not to sing may contribute by recording phrases (such as those from skysaw's Lucid Ground) or (thanks to mu for this suggestion) may record some instrument part (I'm open to anything - Got a didgeridoo? AWESOME!)

But I could use some help... Perhaps we could brainstorm a bunch of lyrics about dreaming, keeping them singable and also avoiding alienating the general public. If those with instruments are able to, maybe short phrases/licks inspired by dreaming could be sent to me or posted here, in turn inspiring me, too (got a cool bass riff? violin solo? send me anything!)

So, that's the general idea. This will probably take a lot of time to pull off, but I think it will be worth it. Few good things manifest without hard work.

For those who want to start brainstorming, I'm going to lock in the song at:

Tempo at 130 BPM Key of C Major D Major.

Right now, anything goes. Send me any instrumental or vocal ideas you may have! I'm going to start brainstorming myself. If anyone protests about the key or tempo, that can be changed, but later on once things get rolling, those two will have to be locked and solidified (to avoid having to do some nasty time stretching and pitch shifting...).

EDIT: So I've decided to base the song more around guitars than electronic elements as originally planned. Key has been changed to D Major. BPM still at 130.

I'll make sure this gets in the next newsletter, Sean.

I suggest someone mentions Aquanina's Tree in the lyrics...

I'm not much good with the creating processes, but if you need a hand with vocals (I'm a mean alto - good for harmonies!) I'd be willing to lay some down.

Some minor updates.

I've been in a bit of a musical slump, or writer's block, or something. I haven't really gotten much done on ANY of my projects, personal or otherwise.

But I have been thinking about it, and I think maybe the song won't be so electronic heavy as I had originally envisioned. Working with synths is tricky business, especially without a concrete goal in mind - I could end up spending hours, days even, getting the right sounds. And then there's still the chance I scrap them. So I think a more "organic" song would help me concentrate. More guitar based, I mean.

Also, I will change the key to D Major, works a little better for guitar. BPM still at 130.

I'd love to help but I dunno how much help I would be. I write lyrics, come up with songs, and sing for fun, but I have little musical training and can't read or write music. >.<;

That's perfectly alright! Help with the lyrics would be great! Every little bit helps.

Actually, I was wondering if whoever wanted to contribute to the singing could help with the lyrics - would be great to get multiple takes on how the melodies should go. This probably means sharing vocal recordings...

Hmm I would be up for submitting some guitar bits... but I really don't know what we're going for here. Presumably a kind of dreamy rock song? I'm thinking kind of Radiohead/Keane style kind of thing maybe?

I think lots of vocal harmony would be good, maybe Serenity could do more than one part if she's up for that.. I'll get something together when I get back to my guitar

coughs we'll see I've never tried harmonizing with myself, before... Not entirely sure I have the recording capabilities on my computer for that cries over my lack of audio editing software

Quote from: Serenity on August 08, 2010, 10:02:24 AMcoughs we'll see I've never tried harmonizing with myself, before... Not entirely sure I have the recording capabilities on my computer for that cries over my lack of audio editing software

Audacity works well. c:

It's free and you can get it here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

I haz it, I'm just not that fond of it...

Don't worry too much about audio editing, in fact I'd prefer it if everyone could keep their recordings separate and "dry" (don't layer your own recordings and don't add any effects). As the song gets created I need to manipulate everything in order for it to feel cohesive.

Woot - that makes things so much easier

I think it would be a good idea to get a basic structure or melody going and provide a clip here, and perhaps write it out (one or the other may be more helpful for different people.)

For the record, I'm in the music first, lyrics later camp.  (Unless you have a sudden inspiration for lyrics; but then they should be written all at once while the idea is in mind, and the music not cobbled around them.)  It's just my opinion though; your project Sean.

I'm in the "whatever comes first" camp.

As I've mentioned, I welcome any sort of musical ideas anyone may have. Lyrics, guitar licks, bass riffs, whatever. I've been a tad busy recently so I haven't been able to concentrate on this fully.